Snow update

The white stuff has been falling in abundance this week over many parts of Europe, with the exception of Italy. And there's more of it on the way, with cloud and heavy dumps expected throughout the Alps.

France received good snowfalls in time for the opening of many of the country's resorts last week; there are generous coverings at Les Deux Alpes, with 80cm on the lower slopes and 160cm on the upper slopes, and at Alpe D'Huez (33cm and 230cm) and Serre Chevalier (150/160cm). Over the border in Switzerland, some of the best conditions are to be had at Zermatt (35/115cm) and ongoing snowfall means conditions are improving at Davos (10/165cm) and Klosters (5/165cm). It's a similar story in Austria, with snowfalls at all the major resorts and particularly good conditions in Ischgl (20/100cm).

Across the Atlantic, new snow has fallen on both western and eastern resorts, notably in Colorado, California, Vermont and Killington. Stowe in Vermont has particularly good conditions for the time of year after new snow (65/105cm).

However, snow cover in Canada is still lacking, with hard, packed conditions at Whistler and only three lifts open at Lake Louise. Prospects for more snow in the immediate future are looking bleak there too.

Deal of the week

Get £240 off the brochure price of a week's skiing in Zermatt with Total Holidays (08701 633633), which now costs £399pp in a catered chalet leaving Gatwick 5 January.